The Siletz CARE Program, which provides culturally specific advocacy services to Native American victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking in Lincoln County, is planning a Sexual Assault Awareness Month 5K Run/Walk on April 20.

The SAAM 5K Run/Walk will be held in Siletz, starting and finishing at the Siletz Valley School football field. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the race starts at 9 a.m., with the awards ceremony at 10:15 a.m.

Registration is $20 for individuals age 13 and older and $18 for those 12 and younger. Registration includes a
T-shirt if registered by April 4 and a goody bag for all pre-registered participants. Dogs can be registered for free with any participant and all dogs receive a bandana.

Prizes will be awarded for the overall top male and female finishers, as well as for the top master’s male and female finishers. In addition, awards will be given in five-year age group increments.

For more information or to register for the event, visit tinyurl.com/SAAM2013 or contact Brittany Russell at 541-444-9679 or brittanyr@ctsi.nsn.us. Registration can be completed online or by mail.

An Earth Day Fair for the community that features local programs and vendors, fresh hot chowder from the Chowder Bowl in Newport, local music and a silent auction will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the football field. Interested programs and vendors as well as those wanting to donate items to the silent auction can contact Brittany Russell at 541-444-9679 or brittanyr@ctsi.nsn.us.

All proceeds from the event will benefit domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and teen dating violence programs in Lincoln County, including the CARE Program and My Sisters’ Place. The purpose of this event is to bring awareness to sexual assault and encourage the community to break the silence and start talking about it.

Nationwide, one in five women and one in 71 men will be sexually assaulted at some point in their life, yet sexual assault is rarely talked about. This run/walk can help give a voice to those who need one and help create a forum for the community to share in this discussion.